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Abstract
Ethiopia has suffered from degradation of forests and loss of biodiversity as a result of anthropogenic activities mainly for the purpose of expanding farm lands, construction materials, fuel wood and charcoal production. The objective of the study was to assess the status of exclosure comparing with adjacent open grazing land. In each area exclosure and open grazing land uses, a plot of 20 m x 20 m, 10 m x 10 m and 2 m x 2 m area size for trees, shrubs and herbs, respectively, was drawn using systematic method. A total of 66 plots in 10 hectare area were sampled along the transect line. Diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured using caliper, and tree height was measured using clinometer and Woody species data were analyzed through Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H1) and Sorensen similarity coefficient indices (Is) using SPSS version 20, excel software and the linear relationship between diversity mean value and land uses were compared using chi-square. A total of 35 plant species belonging to 25 families were identified and recorded. Shannon’s species diversity index (H') in exclosure and adjacent open grazing was 2.591 and 0.889, respectively. Exclosure had a significantly higher number of woody species diversity compared to adjacent open grazing land. Herbs were not influenced by both compared land uses. In order to keep the present progress and rehabilitation status of woody diversity, sustainable management of area exclosure is very necessary and planners, policy makers and stakeholders need coordination and participatory based plant species conservation strategies.
PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT
The study is aimed to provide the overall information regarding the role of establishing exclosure area on woody species diversity and other related conservation of biodiversities. The study article has a significant contribution in sustainable land management, rehabilitation of degraded lands, recovery of disappeared plant species, regulation of local climate, protection of wild animals and in enhancing socio-economic development. As conclusion, the author forwarded exclosure measure as one of the best and easy mechanism for rehabilitation of severely degraded lands and regeneration of vegetation by limiting human and animal interference as well as additionally planting native trees through community campaign services.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Dilla University, Wenago district office experts, kebele administrative council members and key informant households for providing assistance during the whole research process. They would like also to express our gratitude to Dereje Andualem (Dr.), Eshetu Yirsaw (Dr.), Gebremedhin Tesfaye (Dr.) and Getahun Haile (Dr.) for providing advice and analysis support during the research process. Finally, my sincere thanks also goes to my Wife Ms. Birle Acklock for her unlimited moral, financial and material support.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
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Mengistu Meresa
Mengistu Meresa (the corresponding author whose photograph displayed above) is currently a PhD candidate in department of Natural resources management, Dilla University, Ethiopia. He has more than 25 years of teaching experience in different governmental primary & secondary schools, colleges and universities. He also worked as a director of primary schools, supervisor of secondary schools and as educational quality assurance expert in Dilla Town education office. Professionally he has four publications in international peer-reviewed journals. In addition the author has got more than 14 certificates of participation in academic training, proposal development, module preparation and being as a model teacher.